Apparatus for connecting a trailer 20 to a vehicle for towing. The apparatus comprises: a vehicle-trailer coupling including a vehicle coupling 1a and a trailer coupling 1b and having a vertical centreline X; and a switchable yaw pivot 2. The switchable yaw pivot 2 is switchable between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position movement of one part 3 of the apparatus relative to a remaining part of the apparatus about the switchable yaw pivot 2 is permitted in order to align the vehicle coupling 1a with the trailer coupling 1b to assist with coupling. In the locked position movement about the switchable yaw pivot 2 is not permitted after coupling and once the vehicle and trailer are aligned. When the switchable yaw pivot is locked, relative yaw movement between the vehicle and the trailer is only possible about the virtual yaw pivot Y.
B60D 1/167 - Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear
B60D 1/30 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for sway control
2.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHANGING LOAD DISTRIBUTION ON WHEELS OF A VEHICLE WHEN HITCHED TO A TRAILER
Systems 40 are described for changing the load applied to wheels 18 on different axles A1, A2 of a towing vehicle 10 to minimise the adverse effect on the dynamics and operation of the vehicle 10 created by the pitch moment applied by a hitched trailer 12. The systems 40 include a force generator 42 arranged to apply a force 5 between the vehicle 10 and the trailer 12, and a force transmission coupling 44 arranged to transmit force applied by the force generator 42 for the purpose of changing the load applied to the wheels 18 by the trailer 12. This change is to counter or oppose the change in load produced by hitching of the trailer to the vehicle. The systems 40 are applicable to various types of hitching arrangements 0 including a ball joint type hitch and a four-bar articulated joint.
B60D 1/167 - Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear
B60D 1/46 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable vertically
B60D 1/62 - Auxiliary devices involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
3.
A SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A FORCE APPLIED ON A TRAILER BEING TOWED BY A VEHICLE
A system (100) is operable for controlling a force applied on a trailer (104) being towed by a vehicle (102) is described to a desired force Fd. The trailer has brakes (411) and an optional motor (412) for providing a propelling force to the trailer (104). The system (100) includes a force sensor (110) and a controller (500). The force sensor (110) senses fore-aft forces between the vehicle (102) and trailer (104) at all times while the trailer is being towed. The controller (500) receives signals from the force sensor (110) and is operatively connected to the trailer brakes and the motor. The system (100) controls the force between a towing vehicle (102) and a trailer (104) to the desired force Fd, which may be but is not necessarily zero, by any one of: (a) operating the brakes (411) to apply a braking force to the trailer (104); (b) activating the motor (412) to apply a propelling force to the trailer (104); and (c) operating the brakes (411) and activating the motor (412) to apply both a braking and a propelling force to the trailer (104).
B60T 7/20 - Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiationBrake-action initiating means for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger specially adapted for trailers, e.g. in case of uncoupling of trailer
B60L 7/24 - Electrodynamic brake systems for vehicles in general with additional mechanical or electromagnetic braking
B60T 7/04 - Brake-action initiating means for personal initiation foot-actuated
B60T 8/17 - Using electrical or electronic regulation means to control braking
B60T 8/171 - Detecting parameters used in the regulationMeasuring values used in the regulation
B60T 8/18 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to vehicle weight or load, e.g. load distribution
B60T 8/24 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to vehicle inclination or change of direction, e.g. negotiating bends
B60T 8/32 - Arrangements for adjusting wheel-braking force to meet varying vehicular or ground-surface conditions, e.g. limiting or varying distribution of braking force responsive to a speed condition, e.g. acceleration or deceleration
B60W 10/04 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of propulsion units
B60W 10/18 - Conjoint control of vehicle sub-units of different type or different function including control of braking systems
B62D 59/04 - Trailers with driven ground wheels or the like driven from propulsion unit on trailer
G01L 5/13 - Apparatus for, or methods of, measuring force, work, mechanical power, or torque, specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring the tractive or propulsive power of vehicles
Apparatus for connecting a trailer 20 to a vehicle for towing. The apparatus comprises: a vehicle-trailer coupling including a vehicle coupling 1a and a trailer coupling 1b and having a vertical centreline X; and a switchable yaw pivot 2. The switchable yaw pivot 2 is switchable between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position movement of one part 3 of the apparatus relative to a remaining part of the apparatus about the switchable yaw pivot 2 is permitted in order to align the vehicle coupling 1a with the trailer coupling 1b to assist with coupling. In the locked position movement about the switchable yaw pivot 2 is not permitted after coupling and once the vehicle and trailer are aligned. When the switchable yaw pivot is locked, relative yaw movement between the vehicle and the trailer is only possible about the virtual yaw pivot Y.
B60D 1/167 - Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear
B60D 1/42 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by arrangements for particular functions for being adjustable
B60D 1/48 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting
B60D 1/50 - Traction couplingsHitchesDraw-gearTowing devices characterised by the mounting resiliently mounted
patents
